A radiographer from Kerala, India, has been suspended from practicing in the UK for six months after a tribunal found that she lacked basic professional competence, including the ability to X-ray a hand or foot—a fundamental skill expected from newly trained radiographers.
Suspension Over Lack of Basic Radiography Skills
Smitha Johny, an Indian national who claimed 23 years of experience, was employed at North Downs Hospital in Surrey in January 2023. However, her performance quickly raised serious concerns, leading to her resignation and subsequent return to India.
The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) found that Johny:
- Struggled to communicate in English with patients and colleagues.
- Could not set up or operate an X-ray machine properly.
- Failed to recognize basic anatomy, including the scaphoid bone in the wrist and the femur bone.
- Was unable to identify fractures on X-rays.
- Did not follow essential guidelines, risking patient safety.
- Failed a mandatory life support course due to language comprehension issues.
Her line manager, Fernando Pinto, was so concerned that he posed as a patient for a hip X-ray test. Shockingly, Johny misdirected the X-ray machine at his knee instead of his hip, resulting in a radiation breach that could pose cancer risks.
Misrepresentation and Allegations of Racism
During her three-month performance review in April 2023, Johny admitted that she had previously worked more as a manager at a hospital reception desk in India, handling patient check-ins rather than conducting radiography procedures. She also stated that she had worked with CT scanners, not X-ray machines.
After her resignation on April 24, 2023, her employer reported her to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for misrepresenting her experience and lacking basic professional knowledge. The hospital also notified the UK Home Office, which issued her a 60-day deadline to leave the country.
In response, Johny argued that the X-ray machines in India differed from those in the UK and claimed that she faced workplace racism.
Tribunal Proceedings and Interpreter Requirement
Johny was required to use a Malayalam interpreter during the tribunal’s virtual hearing in March 2025. She only attended the first day, citing illness and personal issues, and made no further submissions.
The tribunal determined that her incompetence, rather than deliberate misconduct, led to the suspension. However, it also found that she lacked an understanding of UK medical standards and had misrepresented her abilities on official applications.
Concerns Over Professional Standards and Patient Safety
This case raises serious concerns about international medical qualifications, licensing, and patient safety in the UK healthcare system. It underscores the need for rigorous assessment of foreign-trained professionals to ensure they meet national healthcare standards before practicing.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.